Manila, Feb. 19 -- The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) will represent the Senate in petitions filed before the Supreme Court (SC) regarding the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate President Francis Escudero confirmed Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference in Quezon City, Escudero said he had already referred to the OSG a petition from Duterte's allies seeking the high court's order to halt the Senate impeachment proceedings.

Duterte also filed a petition questioning the constitutionality of the impeachment complaint against her, while another petition for mandamus was submitted last week, urging the SC to compel the Senate to convene as an impeachment court immediately.

When asked whether the Senate would ...